Each year, millions of older adults are forced to go into expensive nursing homes. They have worked hard all of their life and their life savings will become diminished due to the fact that, at the present, they just can’t afford care at home. However, with the new health care reform law, help is on the way!
The issue of not being able to obtain care in one’s own home is addressed by making it easier for individuals on Medicaid to receive care at home or in the community. Spouses of Medicaid home care recipients will no longer have to spend down into poverty before they get help.
For working individuals, the law establishes a new national insurance program call CLASS (Community Living Assistance Services and Support) to help pay for long-term care at home. This will be available to both full-time and part-time employees via voluntary payroll deductions. They will be eligible for an average of $75 per day, should they reach the point where they are not able to perform the basic Activities of Daily Living. This benefit can be used to pay for non-medical services needed to remain at home. This will include paying a family member for assistance, making home modification and transportation services.
To learn more about how the Healthcare Reform law will affect senior care you can view a summary at the resource link provided below.
Title II, Subtitle E, Sections 2401, 2402, and 2404 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act p. 4
Title VIII, Section 8002 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act p.14
